Rolex Submariner History in Brief
Rolex Submariner ref. 16613
It’s July! Meaning that only a few weeks ago, graduates around the world got brand new Rolex Submariners to go with their diplomas. It’s probably the most recognizable watch in the world, with so many fake and ‘homage’ companies set up, it kind of makes you think of the Rolex Submariner as a brand of its own. In fact, its popularity has increased so much, that it’s become a fashion commodity – akin to Louis Vuitton and Polo Ralph Lauren. But with all the buzz it gets today, we often forget how it got a start in the first place.
The history of the Rolex Submariner goes back all the way to 1926, when Rolex introduced the Oyster; the first watch with an airtight case. Rolex continued making dive watches throughout the interwar period and continuously improved the watches' water resistance. This culminated in 1954, at Baselworld, with the introduction of the first Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariners, the ref. 6204 and 6205; the first commercially available watches with an official water resistance of 100m. The watches were very popular and by 1959 water resistance had increased to 200m, with the the first 'cyclops' date window added in 1960. Around the same time, Rolex started experimenting with increased water depths and working with COMEX (Compagnie Maritime d'Enterprises), producing the first Rolex Sea-Dweller Submariner a.k.a. 'Single Red', which had a water resistance of 500m. Also, in the early 60's, 1962 to be exact, the Submariner was given its first crown guard, distinguishing it from the emergent Tudor dive watches. 1962 was also a huge year for public relations as it was the first time James Bond wore a Rolex on film. He went with the Submariner ref. 6538.
The pop culture image of the Rolex Submariner may dilute from its tool watch provenance, but it’s clear that it was born as a dive watch, first and foremost. Although it’s seen as a status symbol today, it shouldn’t be forgotten that its popularity originally derived from it being an exceptional tool watch.